Parker Promoter: Beating Fury Could Lead To Joshua, Wilder
By Edward Chaykovsky
As BoxingScene.com previously reported, a deal is very close for Joseph Parker (22-0, 18 KOs) to make a mandatory defense against mandatory challenger Hughie Fury (20-0, 10 KOs).
22-year-old Fury, the cousin of former WBA, IBO, WBO and IBF champion Tyson Fury - is eager to bring back the world titles to his family. Tyson vacated the titles last year after being plagued with mental health issues and problems with substance abuse.
The fight between Fury and Parker is being negotiated, and there is little time remaining to reach a deal with the purse bid taking place on February 1 at the WBO's head office in Puerto Rico. Parker's team is motivated to win the purse bid, if it comes to that, and bring Fury to New Zealand.
David Higgins of Duco Events, who is the co-promoter of Parker, will be present at the WBO's purse bid and views the contest with Fury as a very important step for his boxer.
He believes a win over Fury could catapult Parker right into a high profile showdown with WBC champion Deontay Wilder or the winner of the April clash between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko, who will battle for the WBA, IBO, IBF world titles before 90,000 fans at Wembley.
"If he were to beat Hughie Fury his stocks in the UK go through the roof. That sets up a juicy unification bout with the winner of [Wladimir] Klitschko and Joshua. If Joe fought Joshua it would sell out Wembley - you're talking 100,000 people and millions globally. That could be as soon as June," Higgins told Fairfax Media.
"Alternatively you could have Tyson, Hughie's cousin, calling for his belt back. Another option would be Wilder. That's another possible unification. So by the end of this year, provided Joseph keeps winning, he could have been in two world wide events and be a global superstar. But winning is the key in boxing. "
